This report documents that 375 businesses and other organizations in the Pacific Northwest, through aggressive pursuit of environmental efficiency opportunities, have substantially reduced water, energy, hazardous materials and other inputs, reducing pressure on stream habitats and the environment while at the same time saving millions of dollars. These firms are at the leading edge of a movement referred to as "eco-efficiency", creating a more economically and environmentally efficient economy through incremental improvements in resource use and environmental impact. They demonstrate that while there will always be initial investment costs, in both the short and the long term there are often much larger economic savings from efforts to reduce environmental impacts to conserve streams, salmon, and the environment. In sum, taking steps to restore regional environmental quality can produce significant economic benefits—not major costs—to companies, communities and the region.

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Center for Watershed and Community Health, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University